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SB 299 · 2025 · Senate · Energy and Natural Resources Committee

Penalties for water pollution contractors

AI-generated

relative to penalties for contractors violating water pollution and waste disposal regulations.

Authorizes civil penalties up to $5,000 per violation and administrative fines, doubling for repeat offenses, against contractors who supervise or perform work that violates the shoreland water quality protection act.AI-generated

Status

Signed into law · June 11, 2025
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓Senate
  3. ✓House
  4. ✓Governor
  5. ✓Law

Analysis

This bill imposes penalties on contractors who supervise or perform work in violation of the shoreland water quality protection act.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Sen. Howard PearlRPrimeVice Chair· Energy and Natural Resources

Public testimony

288 signed in online · 154 wrote testimony

100% support0% oppose0% neutral

ForCloses loophole shifting liability from contractors to owners

AI-generatedLeading arguments, summarized by the testimony tool.

Read the arguments

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“I feel this bill will eliminate a loophole that may have encouraged irresponsible contractors to ignore permit requirements, giving them an unfair advantage over reputable professionals who follow the law. I support making a level.…”
— James Dexter, New Londonsupports
“Everyone in NH lives in a watershed. Our lakes keep us beautiful and desirable. It is important to support this bill.”
— Janet Simmon, Laconiasupports
“Contractors should be held accountable for violating state laws along our lakes. Our lakes are a valuable resource and are important for tourism. Once something is destroyed it is difficult to get it back.”
— Linda Bramante, Ctr Barnsteadsupports

Verbatim excerpts of submitted testimony, quoted from the testimony tool.

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Hearings

  • 2025-03-119:00 amSenate Energy and Natural ResourcesSH 103Public hearing
  • 2025-04-1610:00 amHouse Resources, Recreation and DevelopmentLOB 305Public hearingrescheduled
  • 2025-04-162:00 pmHouse Resources, Recreation and DevelopmentLOB 305Public hearingrescheduled

Legislative history

  1. Feb 13, 2025SenIntroduced 02/13/2025 and Referred to Energy and Natural Resources; SJ 6
  2. Mar 11, 2025SenHearing: 03/11/2025, Room 103, SH, 09:00 am; SC 12
  3. Mar 20, 2025Sen: Ought to Pass, 03/20/2025; Vote 4-0; CC; SC 13
  4. Mar 20, 2025SenOught to Pass: MA, VV; OT3rdg; 03/20/2025; SJ 8
  5. Mar 27, 2025HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 03/27/2025 and referred to Resources, Recreation and Development HJ 11 P. 113
  6. Apr 16, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 04/16/2025 11:30 am LOB 305
  7. Apr 16, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 04/16/2025 02:00 pm LOB 305
  8. Apr 16, 2025HouseCommittee Report: Ought to Pass 04/16/2025 (Vote 16-0; CC) HC 22 P. 11
  9. May 1, 2025HouseOught to Pass: MA VV 05/01/2025 HJ 13 P. 7
  10. May 22, 2025HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 05/22/2025 HJ 15 P. 53
  11. May 22, 2025SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 05/22/2025); SJ 15
  12. Jun 10, 2025SenSigned by the Governor on 06/10/2025; Chapter 0094; Effective 01/01/2026

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

Bill text & amendments link direct to gc.nh.gov; committee reports stream from the state record.